The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 20, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 01, 1999
Tuan Tran, Arvada, CO (US);
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., Boulder, CO (US);
Abstract
An imaging system for achieving enhanced image detail includes a sensor subsystem, an electronic image processing subsystem, and an automatic gain control (AGC) unit. The sensor unit is operative for sensing an image received from an exterior environment and for converting the image to an electrical representation having a peak value that is related to the dynamic range of the image. The electrical representation is then processed in the electronic image processing subsystem using a unique multiple order, non-linear transfer function that processes the signal in a manner that is dependent upon the dynamic range of the input image. The output signal of the electronic image processing subsystem is then applied to the AGC unit which performs a conventional AGC function on the signal. Thus, the imaging system automatically adjusts to changing scene content in the input image in a dynamic manner.